Events & Festivals

The Fremantle Arts Centre offers both men, women and children a wide range of events, workshops and courses, music shows, art exhibitions plus a wide range of culturally diverse experiences throughout the entire year. The Fremantle Arts Gallery brings both an historical and beautiful atmosphere to each arts and cultural event that it hosts, no matter the genre. The Fremantle Arts Centre is an historic building which first opened its doors in 1864 as the convict established Fremantle Lunatic Asylum and Invalid Depot, offered support in WW1 and WW2 and then re-opening in 1972 to host exclusive and unique art…

The Fremantle CAT (Central Area Transit) is a free bus service that operates around the Fremantle central business district. The blue CAT services depart every 10 minutes and the red CAT services depart every 15 minutes. Both services run seven days a week, including public holidays except Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The service operates during these times: Monday to Thursday 7.30 am to 6.30 pm Friday 7.30 am to 8.00 pm Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10.00 am to 6.30 pm. The Fremantle CAT buses are easily accessible with kneeling actions – a driver activated entry ramp…

Fremantle Library has ideas for everyone, and miles of inspiration contained inside. Want to find out what to read next? Ask our staff who can suggest some great titles . Enjoy a coffee whilst browsing magazines and newspapers, or catch up on some DVD binge watching or music from local acts. Get ebooks and emagazines for your commute – see our downloads page or ask our friendly staff for tips. Fremantle History Centre is a treasure trove of historical information and photographs from ye olde Freo. Find out the origins of your Fremantle home and learn how to research…

Fremantle Festival returns this year with a series of events bringing people together in a celebration of community. Immerse yourself in the colour and pageantry of the Blessing of the Fleet, discover the beauty of Australian Indigenous culture at Wardarnji or bring the family down to a blaze on the beach with the return of Kraken.
Wardarnji is a dynamic experience of Nyoongar storytelling and dance.
For the first time, the City of Fremantle presents Karla-k Koorling, Come to the Fire, inviting audiences to gather around many fires to enjoy intimate performances, including song, spoken word, puppetry and dance. This is a taste of what’s to come, with the Fremantle Festival set to move to the depths of winter in 2019, with a ten-day immersive experience of wild art and hidden treasures. Intimate spaces, port history and cosy corners make Fremantle an ideal place for a winter festival. This year’s three-day festival format will pave the way for the transition to an expanded ten-day format in winter in 2019.
Now in its 113th year, Fremantle Festival is Australia’s longest running festival and continues to evolve as a celebration of one of the most unique cities in the world and its extraordinary community.
Wardarnji | 26 October, 6.30 pm (gates open 5.30 pm), Fremantle Arts Centre
Let the beauty of the oldest songs, dances and language in the world transport you to another place, as fires burn long into the evening and people come together to celebrate Indigenous Australian culture. Wardarnji is a dynamic experience of Nyoongar storytelling and dance.
Blessing of the Fleet | 28 October, from 2 pm, procession begins at St Patrick’s Basilica
Watch the pageantry and splendour of the Blessing of the Fleet as this annual procession makes its way from St Patrick’s Basilica to Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at 8 pm. The Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition that began centuries ago in Mediterranean fishing communities to ensure a safe and bountiful fishing season. First celebrated in WA by an Italian migrant fisherman, the historical port of Fremantle has been the backdrop to the tradition for 70 years.
Kraken | 3 November, from 1 pm, Bathers Beach & Arthur Head
Kraken is a blaze on Bather’s Beach centered around the Kraken effigy – a sea monster emerging from the sands. Kraken is a free community event that delivers a small taste of the Blazing Swan Festival presented by the Fremantle based Blazing Swan Inc. Each year this not-for-profit organisation produces the regional Burning Man in Kulin, Western Australia. Surrounding Bather’s Beach the Blazing Swan theme camps offer entertainment and food.
You are invited to wander the fires enjoying the elements and the voices of Fremantle.
Karla-k Koorling, Come to the Fire | 3 November, from 6 pm, Maritime Tafe Carpark, Fleet Street
As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean we will light fires to bring together the people of Fremantle. Between the river and sea we will gather, the fires will light the way, keep us warm and centre our community stories. Each fire will host a performance of song, spoken word, puppetry or dance. You are invited to wander the fires enjoying the elements and the voices of Fremantle.
The 2018 Fremantle Festival will run on 26 October, 28 October and 3 November, with a series of free community events. For more information, visit – fremantlefestival.com.au.

The Fremantle Leisure Centre is open all year round and offers a range of health and fitness programs including learn to swim, squad and group fitness classes. The centre boasts four heated swimming pools, a gym, crèche, swim shop, traing room and cafe all located on 3.5 hectares of open grassed space. Memberships and multi-visit passes are available.

The Fremantle Markets has rightfully earned itself a reputation as one of the best destinations in Fremantle for locals and tourists alike, as well as a leading source of independent wares and produce. Fremantle Markets is undoubtedly one of the best and most well-known markets in Western Australia as it offers fresh and local produce, a great atmosphere plus many more great attributes. Most importantly- it's free to enter! Which makes it a great day out for the entire family! Walk the Fremantle Markets Heritage Trail, attached, to explore the unique place the market has in the city’s history. This brochure will…

Fremantle Prison is one of WA's premier tourist attractions and in 2010 became the first building in Western Australia to be inscribed on to the prestigious World Heritage list as part of the 'Australian Convict Sites'. Built by convicts in the 1850s, Fremantle Prison was used as a place of incarceration for 136 years before being decommissioned as an operating maximum security gaol in 1991. The empty prison with its solitary cells and gallows is a monument to a system of punishment that is uncomfortably recent. Visitors can "step inside and do time" with Fremantle Prison's experienced guides on a range…

Fremantle is among the most popular destinations in western Australia and the Esplanade Park is one of its most loveliest features. The Tourist Wheel has been in Fremantle since April 2013 and provides unprecedented views of Fremantle town and harbors Be transported 40 metres in fully enclosed gondolas

Nobody else can show you Fremantle like this tour can. Going to places larger vehicles and public transport cannot reach and with local driver guides whose knowledge is second to none! Since 1985 Fremantle Tram Tours has been providing guided tours to thousands of visitors to Fremantle aboard our replica 'trams'. With the entertaining and educational commentary provided by the driver our passengers quickly discover the authentic charm of Fremantle that makes it Western Australia's most visited city. Hop on and off at any of the six conveniently situated stops and we'll show you Fremantle from its bustling harbours, it's beautifully…

Sharpen the kids’ word sleuth skills with the #Freo_Babble hunt, visit the museums, hire a bike - here's our top ten free things to do with the kids.
1. Transportation Exhibition at Fremantle Prison
In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Hougoumont, the last convict ship to arrive in Australia, Fremantle Prison’s new exhibition Transportation examines the forced migration of convicts from Britain to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries.
2. #Freo_Babble letter sleuth game
Pick up a #Freo_Babble map from Fremantle Visitor Centre, WA Shipwrecks Museum or Oxfam or download and collect the letters from Freo businesses to make out the mystery song title. You could win fabulous prizes including a $500 shopping spree.
3. Visit the shipwrecks at WA Shipwrecks Museum
Recognised as the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the southern hemisphere and housed in a 1850s-era Commissariat building the galleries house hundreds of relics from ships wrecked along WA's treacherous coastline, including the original timbers from the Batavia (wrecked in 1629), the de Vlamingh plate, and also countless artefacts from the Dutch shipwrecks Zuytdorp, Zeewijk and Vergulde Draeck.
4. Free bike hire from Fremantle Visitor Centre
This free bike hire service with bikes for adults and kids (8+ years) operates from the Fremantle Visitor Centre in Kings Square. Bikes can be used anywhere in the Fremantle area. There are a limited number of bikes available for hire so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Read our South Beach to Leighton cycling blog for bike ride ideas.
5. Take a spin at the Esplanade Youth Plaza
Pack up the kid’s skateboards, scooters or roller skates and spend an afternoon at one of the most popular skate facilities in the metro area. There’s also places to try ping pong, rock climbing, slack-lining and parkour and the playground adjacent to the plaza has swings and a giant climbing frame. Bring a picnic or grab a bite to eat from nearby cafés and restaurants all within walking distance.
6. Firing of the cannon at the Round House
Opened in 1831, Round House is the oldest public building in Western Australia. Hear the story of why the cannon is fired every day at 1 pm – visitors can even apply to act as the honorary gunner!
7. Self-guided walking trails
Explore Fremantle attractions, history, cultural heritage and the arts with one of the Explore Fremantle walking trails. There are eleven trails to choose from including street art, Walk with the Windsors, heritage highlights and Manjaree. The trails work on iPhone and Android devices (you can connect to FREBytes free wifi in the CBD).
8. Visit the giant fish tanks at Cicerello’s
Over 50 species of marine life, all collected in Fremantle waters housed in a giant aquarium holding over 20,000 litres of water.
9. Bird watching around Fremantle
Get to know the species of birdlife around Freo. Download a copy of the Birdwatching around Fremantle guide and challenge the kids to spot an Australasian darter or a Wilson’s Storm Petrel.
10. Swan River, beaches, parks and playgrounds
Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that create the best memories and Fremantle has amazing outdoor spaces for the kids to run around... skimming stones under the traffic bridge, collecting shells at South Beach or a picnic beside the lake at Booyeembara Park, here's some of the best spots.
After you’ve exhausted the kids there are plenty of kid friendly places to pick up lunch or a drink (the nature play area behind Moore & Moore and Paper Bird Children's Books and Arts is a favourite). Our school holiday program has some great coupon offers from local businesses and don’t forget to tag @fremantlestory on Instagram–we’d love to see what you get up to.

For Christmas shoppers that love a list or those preferring to browse–here’s Fremantle’s best Christmas shopping ideas and tips to relax and enjoy the festive season... 12 things you can only buy in Fremantle Did you know 92.9 FM’s Ryan Jon lives in Freo? He’s been checking out gift ideas and found 12 things you can only buy in Fremantle (we quite like the sound of that baby rattle). There’s nothing like open air shopping Fremantle is without doubt Western Australia’s best open air shopping experience with the Freo Doctor gently blowing, cafés with parklets and lots of choices for…

We are a pizza bar situated by Freo harbour in the E Sheds. We have a wide variety of pizzas on offer, local beers, great views and not to mention our daily specials. Live music is always on throughout the weekend. So come drop in and say hi, enjoy the tunes, embrace the sun, grab a delicious pizza and of course, a cold one. We also have a range of wines and spirits on offer. If you're lucky enough we may even make you a cocktail 😁

HOYTS Millennium is located in the heart of Fremantle, just off the popular Café Strip and screens the latest blockbuster releases. HOYTS Millennium showcases 4 cinemas including two 3D auditoriums. It is home to a 500 seat capacity Xtremescreen, with a big screen and big sound, movies are better in HOYTS Millennium's Xtremescreen!

Art workshops for curious and creative kids! We run classes and workshops throughout the year with a focus on building art skills and critical thinking. We have lots of fun exploring different techniques, especially drawing. This term at the Inkling Art Space we will be painting, drawing, stitching and making a marvelous mess! Join in the fun at one of our excellent classes or workshops where professional artists will help you to build your art muscles. (The more art we make, the better we get!) There are sessions for children of all ages, and some for grown-ups too. We can't wait to…

Kidogo is a living, bustling art centre. As well as having two busy galleries, Kidogo Arthouse is a popular venue to hear live, original, live music and can be booked for private and corporate events. Kidogo Arthouse is ranked No1 as "Perth's most beautiful wedding venue".

One of Fremantle's (and Western Australia's) greatest attractions is its coastline of pristine beaches on the edge of the Indian Ocean. Leighton Beach and Port Beach are two of Perth's most visited and loved beaches, beautiful white sands, turquoise clear water are great for swimming, body surfing, snorkelling, wind and kite surfing or just relaxing and enjoying the view to Rottnest Island. Enjoy takeaway food and drinks from the kiosks or try one of the restaurants and cafe's incuding Bib & Tucker and The Shipping Lane. Leighton Beach is a 5 minute walk from the North Fremantle train station on…

Events and festivals

Fremantle has a legendary festival and events scene that stretches across the whole spectrum of music, arts, heritage, food and entertainment from the fantastic Fremantle International Street Arts Festival, St. Jerome's Laneway Festival and the biennial Sculptures @ Bathers. Plan your next visit to Fremantle by checking out what’s on in Freo today. And don’t forget to look at our eat and drink listings to find a great spot for dinner or a drink when you’re here.

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